About the Teachers
Kate Phillips has been practicing yoga for approximately 25 years and has been teaching for almost 12 of those years. She holds an internationally recognised, teaching Diploma through Satyananda Yoga, also known as the Academy of Yogic Sciences.
This 2 year, full time Diploma is one of the most intensive teacher training courses available not just in Australia but worldwide with over 1500 hours face to face time spent on course and 20 hours of home study each week.
Kate previously held a 350 hour teaching Certificate through Samadhi Yoga (now Jivamukti Yoga) but realised the depth of practice and knowledge required to teach these ancient sciences was something that could not be learned just over a few months so was inspired to seek out the Diploma after spending time in a unique ashram environment where one is immersed in the practice of Yoga for personal transformation through self-awareness.
Since her training Kate has also completed various post-graduate studies, giving her the status of a level 2 teacher with Yoga Australia and S.Y.T.A.
As Kate is passionate about bringing yoga to children of all ages, much of this post-graduate training has been in that specialty, completing the Radiant Child Yoga teacher training – Levels 1 & 2, Zenergy Yoga 4 Kids Foundation teacher training, Kids Yoga Education and the NSW Active after-school Community Coaching certificate. After years of acquiring knowledge & experience teaching children, Kate is now a ‘Kids Yoga’ trainer, facilitating training modules for Kids Yoga Educaton.
Kate is fully insured to teach both adults and children and holds a current Senior First Aid certificate along with having completed Mental Health First Aid certificate and the NSW governments ‘Working with Children certificate.’ Kate has also undertaken training in the Australian governments national initiative, KidsMatter, where the aim is to improve students mental health & wellbeing in primary schools. ‘Yoga for Mental Health’, with a focus on anxiety, depression in children and adults is an area that Kate continues to study.
A few years ago, Kate completed a TAFE certificate as a School learning Support Officer (teachers aide) working with children with special needs. This was another insight into teaching children with varying degrees of ability & it gave Kate additional insight as to how Yoga can support these children in their learning & day to day lives. She now works with a family under their N.D.I.S plan and maybe able to support you or your child with financial help through this government funded disability scheme.
Kate has developed & ran Family yoga programs & taught children and adults at Family Yoga workshops and retreats on a regular basis. She also taught on ‘Yoga Relax’ weekend retreats at Mangrove Yoga and along with her husband, Stephen, Kate has been actively running workshops and seminars on ‘Finding Balance’ through the many modalities of Eastern Medicine for health & well-being.
Kate is also inspired by music and sound in both Yoga and more contemporary settings (She worked as a singer on the RSL circuit for 7 years). Her use of mantra & music is a therapeutic tool that she brings into her classes for healing and transformation. Devotional chanting is a natural expression for her and is a sought after aspect of her teaching. Lately, she founded Blue Mountains Kirtan & Yoga Events in order to offer quality Yoga events within the Blue Mountains Community. She also holds monthly Kirtan music evenings in Katoomba with her band, Bhakti Darshan.
You will find Kate regularly teaching private and group classes in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Penrith.
“I feel extremely blessed to bring the teachings of yoga into the lives of children and adults alike” Kate Phillips
Stephen Phillips has been a teacher of Daoist Yoga, TaiJi Quan, Qigong and Buddhist studies for well over 30 years. He is also a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncturist & Herbalist) and has a practice in Katoomba, Sydney and the Blue Mountains called Eastern Medicine.
Due to his passion to create a peaceful world, Stephen teaches others to bring peace to their own lives through his innate ability to de- mystify Eastern philosophies and make complex teachings simple.
Yoga and Martial Arts have been a part of Stephens life for 40 years and he uses Yoga, Tai chi, Qigong extensively in the rehabilitation and wellbeing of his patients and family.
“Peaceful mind, Peaceful world” Stephen Phillips
Rhiannon Phillips is a natural creator & nurturer. Rhiannon grew up under the gentle guidance of her parents combined influences of Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism & Eastern philosophy. Over the last few years she has been helping facilitate Family Yoga retreats & more recently stepping out on her own teaching children’s yoga at Mangrove Yoga ashram.
Rhiannon has also spent many years expressing her natural creativity through dance and through her poetry, art and intuitive writings.
She is the insightful visionary behind ‘Sister Circles’ & is enjoying supporting & holding a space for pre-teen girls so they can transition towards adult hood feeling grounded, inspired, empowered and joyful!
Rhiannon also is a certified yoga teacher & is currently undertaking studies to become a fully qualified Yoga Nidra facilitator.
“Bhakti (love) is the heart of yoga” Rhiannon Phillips
About Awakened Heart Yoga
Awakened Heart Yoga is a systematic approach that incorporates awareness of all aspects of one’s being, using postures to stretch, tone & relax the physical body, breathing practices to balance the energy in the body, meditation to calm and focus the mind and deep relaxation (yoga nidra) to reduce stress, promote healing and create a sense of well-being. It promotes the alignment of the delicate balance between body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is the practical union of ‘Head, heart and hands’.
Awakened Heart Yoga does not postulate any political or religious beliefs. It provides everyone, regardless of social background, with the tools for health, peace of mind and an inspired vision for their lives. Students of Awakened Heart Yoga are of all ages and levels of fitness and come from many walks of life.
“Awakening minds to the inherent truth that lies within each & every heart “